Wedding photos with grandparents and less mobile relatives
For some families this is the last big photo with a grandparent. A little planning makes sure it’s a good one, and that they’re comfortable getting it.
4 min read · Updated 7 October 2026
Grandparents and older relatives often matter most in the family photos and find them hardest: standing for long periods, uneven ground, steps, and waiting around in the cold.
Plan around them
- 1Do their shots first, then get them seated with a drink.
- 2Have a chair in place before the first photo. A seated grandparent in the middle of a group looks great.
- 3Choose a spot with level ground and no steps to reach.
- 4If it’s cold or wet, ask your venue about an indoor alternative close by.
Wheelchair users
Ask your photographer to arrange the group around the wheelchair rather than to one side. Seating the couple or a few others at the same height can make the photo feel balanced and natural. If you have a big family too, read wedding photos with a very large family.
Make sure the photographer knows
In our planner you can mark anyone who needs a chair. They’re put first in the order and flagged on the photographer’s brief, so a chair is ready before you need it.
Mark who needs a chair and we’ll put their shots first.
Make my family photo listQuestions people ask
Should grandparents sit in wedding family photos?
It often works well, especially for longer sessions. A seated grandparent at the centre of a family group is a classic composition.
When should grandparents be photographed at a wedding?
At the start of the family photos, so they can sit down and rest straight afterwards.